Protraction-retraction mechanism for writing instruments



Sept. 22, 1959' F. 'r. JOHMANN 2,905,146

PROTRACTION-RETRACTION MECHANISM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 29, 1956 Fig.3

Fig.2

United States atent PROTRACTION-RETRACTION MECHANISM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS Frank T. Johmann, Elizabeth, NJ.

Application November 29, 1956, Serial No. 625,145 10 Claims. (Cl. 12042.03)

This invention relates to Writing instruments having a retractable writing element. Particularly, the invention relates to a retraction-protraction mechanism for a ball point writing instrument, whereby the ball point may be either moved into a concealed, non-writing position or projected into an exposed, writing position.

In my ball point instrument, the ball point may be maintained in its projected position solely by means of a spring. The point may be retracted by holding the instrument substantially vertical against a rigid surface and then pressing downwardly on the instrument so that the point moves inwardly into the barrel against the action of the spring. A latching or locking mechanism is thereby actuated which holds the ball point in a retracted position. A release mechanism is provided for subsequently releasing the retracted ball point, whereupon the ball point is returned to its protracted position by said spring means. Preferably, a portion of the release mechanism normally projects out of the writing tip end of the barrel, but projects to a lesser extent than the ball point projects when in its writing position. In this way, the release element may also be actuated by holding the barrel substantially vertical against a rigid surface, and then pressing downwardly on the barrel so that the release element is forced inwardly into the barrel, so as to release the latch mechanisin when said latch mechanism is holding said ball point retracted. By this means I have provided a retraction-protraction mechanism which is conveniently operated by the user, by merely holding the barrel substantially vetrical to a surface and then pressing downward to either retract or protract the point.

The invention will be further understood by the following description and the accompanying drawings which include preferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument of the invention with the ballpoint in a protracted position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument of Figure 1, wherein the point has been forced into the barrel by pressing the point downwardly onto a rigid surface.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument of Figure 1, showing the point retained in a retracted position after being lifted free from the rigid surface.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the tip portion of the writing instrument of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the writing instrument has an outer casing or barrel which consists of the upper barrel section 10 and .the lower barrel section 11. The upper end of the upper barrel section 10 is closed to form the head 12. The lower end of the barrel section 10 which is ice open, receives and frictionally engages the upper portion of the cylindrical plug 13. The lower portion of the plug 13 is threaded as at 14 and is threaded into the upper end of the lower barrel section 11. The lower barrel section 11, near its lower end, is tapered inwardly and forwardly to form the frustro-conical portion 15, at the tip of which is formed the inwardly projecting annular lip 16. Carried within the barrel sections 10 and 11 and extending through the bore 17 of the plug 13 is a longitudinally movable release member or sleeve member 18, having a reduced cross-section 19 at its lower end to provide a shoulder 20, which normally seats against the lip 16. The reduced section 19, normally projects outwardly through the open end of the conical portion 15 of the barrel section 11. The outer end, of the reduced section 19, may also be formed with an inwardly projecting annular lip 21. A compression coil spring 22, surrounds an upper portion of the sleeve 18. The ends of the spring 22, are retained between the bottom of the plug 13 and a collar 23 rigidly attached to the outer surface of the sleeve 18. The spring 22 urges the sleeve 18 downwardly relative to the barrel so as to maintain the shoulder 20 of the sleeve normally seated against the lip 16. Freely slidable longitudinally and carried within said sleeve 18, is a writing unit comprising a point and cartridge unit including: a writing fluid cartridge or reservoir tube 24, which is reduced at its lower end to form the shoulder 25 and the short terminal tube 26, the writing element or ball 27 carried at the lower end of said tube 26, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writing element. When the ball point is extended into its writing position, the shoulder 25 seats against the lip 21 of the sleeve, while the short terminal tube '26 projects through the outer tip of said sleeve 18. The top of the reservoir tube 24 is insertible in the bore 28 extending partly through the cylindrical latch element 29;. The top portion of the reservoir tube 24 is thereby frictionally engaged and carried by the latch element 29. The upper portion of the cylindrical latch element 29, s reduced in cross-section to form the upwardly projecting stem 30 and the shoulder 31. Surrounding the stem 30, is the compression coil spring 32, whose lower end seats against the shoulder 31, while its upper end is inserted in the bore 33 formed in the head 12.

In order to retain the ball point in its retracted position, a locking device or spring latch is provided which consists of a supporting portion 34 formed with a hook 35 at its lower end, a spring portion 36 extending upwardly and inwardly from the top of the supporting portion 34, which spring portion 36 is bent downwardly near 1ts lntermediate portion 37 to form the spring terminal 38. A recess 39 is provided in the plug 13, which recess receives the supporting portion 34, and its hook 35, of the spring latch. The supporting portion of the spring latch is therefore firmly fixed between the plug 13 and the barrel, although the spring portion 3637-38 is still movable.

In writing use, the ballpoint may be maintained in its protracted or writing position solely by action of the spring 32. Since the Writing instrument is pressed against the paper at an angle during normal writing use, it will be apparent that there is little or no tendency for the point to be forced upward against the action of the spring and into the barrel. However, when the writer, for example, holds the writing instrument substantially vertical to the paper and presses downward towards the tip of the writing instrument, i.e. exerts a downward pressure parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument, the ballpoint readily moves inwardly into the barrel. Figure 1 shows the writing instrument in a protracted position, preparatory to retracting the point. In Figure unit with itsballpoint; in. a retracted position, At; this.

point it. will. be noticed. that the spring termin,al 38 is. pressing against theupperside of; the sleeve 18. However, when the instrument is liftedfrom-Ahecsurface, 39,. as inFigure 3, the sleeve'18 is.forc.ed downwardly relativev to the barrel, thereby freeingv theterminal. portion; 38=1of; thespring which then movesinwardly. to theposi: tiontshown in: solid. lines,- intEigurefi. Eigurefi, there-i fore illustrates. the instrument in,a;retracted;position. It. will be-apparentzthattwhen,theinstrumentds againlpressedg downwardly. against; a. surface, the sleeve 18m is; againforced inwardly into; the barrel as. shown: by; he. dotted: line, and,in doing so, the upper, end-18% of; the, sleeve; ages the. en DI he. erminal portionfifiofr tha prin thereby causingthe spring. to1move to the pDsitiomshoyvuin o ed l ne -in f gu e. 3., i 1, heintermedia aportion f he. pri g. mov s wards. he. ide of he; rrel her y s n e. at h: lemen 9, hic meves. downwardly past the spring portion;3 7, so,that when the instrument is liftedagaimfrom the surface;.39; the-, ball point'is returned to its,protractedposition,

InFigure 4 is shown another embodiment of-rny in; vention, wherein the instrument is shown in a position corresponding to -the positionof Figure 2, that-is, the ball point has justlbeen forced inwardly intothe barreLfrom.

a, protracted position by pressing the tip end of the barrel. downwardly; against, a rigid surface. The embodiment shown in Figure 4.iisisubstantially, the same as that shown.

in Figuresl to 3, except that thetenninal portion of the springis taperedas at38'. and the. edge ofthesleeve is. rounded as at 18", so thatthe inwardmovement oflthe terminal portion 38' tends to pressthe sleeve downwardly Also, the inner diameterzof the sleeve maybe somewhat.

tion by the action of gravity and the. action .of the tapered,

end. 38 of the latch spring. The sleeve, inlthis case,

falls downwardlyunder force of gravityand the action, of.

thespring portion 38', when .the instrument is lifted upwardly from contact with, the surface 39'. It will also be notediin Figure 4 that the lowerend of the insetportion 19 is not formed withan inwardly projecting: lip, as the. outward projection of the tube portion 26 will ,belimited by the latch element 29 comingto rest on thetop 18'. of the sleeve.

I claim:

1. A- writing-instrument havinga retractable writing, point, comprising a cartridge unit having a-writing point at its outer-end housing means for saidcartridge'unit including a barrel having an open outer end, spring -meansdisposed ,within, said barrel and; adapted. to; urge said cartridge unit longitudinally of said barrel toa protracted. position; latching meansrdisposed. within said; barrel ,and; adapted to retain said cartridge unit in. a retracted position against the action of saidgspring means and-areciprocally. movable, release, member having an 4 outer portion which-,normally projects outwardly through the, open lower endof said barrel and an.inner portion adaptedto. engage said. latching meansqwherebyv said, cartridge unit can .be released from,its retracted positions-upon the. inward. movement. of said release ,member relative .to said barrel.

2. A writing-unit according to claim 1, whereinsaid latching means comprise a latch receiver carried by said 4. cartridge unit and a deformable spring latch mounted within said barrel.

3. A writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said release member is in proximate parallel relation to said cartridge unit and is reciprocally and longitudinally movable relative thereto.

4. A writing instrumentzaccording to claim 1, wherein said release member is a sleeve coaxial with said cartridge unit.

5. A writing instrument according to-claim 4, which also includes a secondi springlmeans disposed'within said barrel and adapted to urge said sleeve longitudinally 01 said barrel to its normally projected position wherein said outer portion projects through. the open lower end of said barrel.

6. A ball-point writing instrument having a retractable point, comprising a cartridge unit having a writing point at its.0.uter; end;,housing. means for: saidcartridge unit including a barrel 1having;an open lower end, spring means disposedtwithintsaidbarrel; and adapted to urge said car.- tridge, unit.- longitudinally; of.- said -.barrel to: a. protracted position, a latch receiver carried by-saidcartridge unit,.a.

latch mounted within said barreliforreciprocal movement into and out: of i engagement withsaid latch receiver against: the pressure ofisaid. spring means anda latch release mounted within saidibarrel iniproximate parallel.

relation to; said, cartridge: unit for; reciprocal, movement with relation thereto,- said release, havingtan-outer: end.

normally, projectingthrough the open lower end. of. said bar-rel'and an inner; end adapted for pressureengagement with vsaiddatc-h .Whereby said latch-is .moved out. of

engagement with-saidreceiverassaid release is movedv inwardly into said barrel under the influence. ofpressure exerted, inwardly. upont the. outer endof saidrelease.

7. A-tball-point writing instrument.having a retractable point,. comprising;a cartridge unit ha-vinga twritinglpoint at ,its outer I end, housing means for said unit .including, a

barrel ,having :an open, lower endpspringmeans disposed within said. barrel and adapted tourge said cartridge. longitudinallyof said barrel to a ;protracted,.position,. a sleeve.

coaxial with said cartridge/unit and in-reciprocallyrnovable relation thereto said sleeve having an outer end. normally: projectingthrough th'e open lower. end. of said barrelandan inner end within saidbarrel, alatch receivercarried by the-inner end ofisaid-icartridge .unit proximate theinnertendwoftsaid-sleeve; and ;a spring latch: disposed. Within: said barrel and including. a. deformable. spring,

portion-s, adapted for self-insertion: between said "latch receiver, andwsaidzsleeve. upon theainwardmovement of .sai d cartridge unit-relative to; said barrel, saidsleeve .being.

movable inwardly-lover saidcartridgetunit toengage and move said spring latch from its position between said latch element 1 and. said-:sleeve as inwardly; directed pressure is exerted..uponrthuoutenendtofnsaid :sleeve.

8. A ball-point writing instrument havinga retractable:

point, comprising a cartridgeaunitincluding:za.balhpoint at-its outer :end, atbarrel-open atnitslowel: outer rend-said. cartridge'unit beirig-rnonntedin: said barrel for protraction and retraction movement, a latch receiver-carriedby the inner end of i said cartridge unit; a spring disposed between-said-latch 'receiver'andsaid barrel whereby-said cartridge unit 'is" urged outwardly -to- -a-protr'actedposition, a sleeve coaxial with said cartridge unit and'havin'g an outer end 'andan' inner "end; saidouter' endofsaid sleeve normally extending .throughthe lowerouter end of said barrel, said inner end of said sleeve beingjengaged by said latchreceiver when said cartridge is: ina protracted, POSitio'nxand a la'tch' disposed within. said barrel and including, a-de'formable spring adapted for self-insertion between said latch'receiver and said sleeve inner end uponseparation and inward movement thereof by pressure .onsaidcartridge outer end, said sleeve beingmovable inwardly-over said cartridge-to engage said latch whe e y a d latch. is moved outof latching engagement with said latch receiver when inwardly directed pressure is exerted upon the outer end of said sleeve.

9. A ball-point writing instrument according to claim 8, wherein a second spring means is disposed within said barrel and adapted to urge said sleeve longitudinally of said barrel to its normally extending position whereby the outer end of said sleeve projects through the outer end of said barrel.

10. A ball-point writing instrument having a tip-actuated retractable point comprising a cartridge unit including a ball-point at its outer end, a barrel opened at its outer lower end, a spring disposed within said barrel and adapted to urge said cartridge unit to a protracted position wherein said ball-point projects through the open lower end of said barrel, a latch receiver carried by said cartridge unit proximate its inner end, a reciprocally longitudinally movable sleeve coaxial with said cartridge unit and having an outer end and an inner end, a second spring disposed within said barrel and adapted to urge said sleeve to a normally projecting position wherein its outer end projects through the lower outer end of said barrel but projects to a lesser extent than said ball-point projects when in its protracted position, a deformable spring latch carried within said barrel proximate said latch receiver and adapted for engagement with said latch receiver upon the inward movement of said ballpoint, cartridge, latch receiver and sleeve relative to said barrel, said deformable spring latch when engaged with said latch receiver being operable to retain said cartridge in a retracted position with its ball-point concealed within the outer end of said sleeve, said deformable spring latch being moved out of engagement with said latch receiver upon subsequent inward movement of said sleeve relative to said cartridge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,773,478 Poinsot Dec. 11, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 88,655 Germany Sept. 25, 1896 14,793 Germany Aug. 9, 1956 

